Hansaviertel

The Hansaviertel (German: [ˈhanzaˌfɪʁtl] (listen)) is the smallest Ortsteil (district) of Berlin and is between Großer Tiergarten and the Spree River, within the central Mitte borough of Berlin.

Hansaviertel
Quarter of Berlin
Panoramic view
Location of Hansaviertel in Mitte district and Berlin
Hansaviertel
Hansaviertel
Coordinates: 52°31′00″N 13°20′20″E
CountryGermany
StateBerlin
CityBerlin
BoroughMitte
Founded1762
Area
 • Total0.53 km2 (0.20 sq mi)
Elevation
52 m (171 ft)
Population
 (2009-06-30)
 • Total5,764
 • Density11,000/km2 (28,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
(nr. 0103) 10555, 10557
Vehicle registrationB

The district was almost completely destroyed during World War II but was rebuilt from 1957 to 1961 as a social housing project by international master architects such as Alvar Aalto, Egon Eiermann, Walter Gropius, Oscar Niemeyer, Sep Ruf. Called Interbau, the whole ensemble has two churches (St. Ansgar and Kaiser-Friedrich-Gedächtniskirche). It is now protected as a historic monument.

History

The area's streets are named after "Hansa cities"; cities that were part of the Hanseatic League, a trading network established in the Middle Ages. Hansaplatz, the central square, has a small shopping arcade, a library and the Grips-Theater. Hansaplatz subway station was built in 1957, though the U9 line did not open until 1961. Some Gründerzeit buildings remained north of the Stadtbahn railway. Altonaer Straße, named after the Altona district in Hamburg, leads to the Victory Column. Bellevue Palace, the residence of the German president is nearby.

Hansaplatz

Right beside the U-bahn train station is Hansaplatz square. Now an unremarkable traffic junction, this was an active plaza before the war.

Hansaplatz

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